Oral cannabidiol increases thermal threshold in horses without physiologic adverse effects

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Pharmacology
• Equine Pain Management
• Cannabinoid Research

Background:

• Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive compound derived from cannabis with potential therapeutic properties.
• Understanding CBD's effects on pain and physiological parameters in horses is crucial for its clinical application.
• Limited research exists on CBD's efficacy and safety in equine pain management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of oral cannabidiol (CBD) on thermal and mechanical pain thresholds in horses.
• To assess the effects of CBD on key physiological variables, including heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature.
• To determine the safety and tolerability of orally administered CBD in an equine model.

Main Methods:

• A randomized, masked crossover study involving 6 horses treated with either 3.48 mg/kg CBD oil or placebo orally for 3 days.
• Thermal and mechanical nociceptive thresholds were measured at baseline and at 4 and 12 hours post-administration.
• Physiological parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature) were recorded concurrently with threshold measurements.

Main Results:

• Cannabidiol (CBD) administration resulted in a significant elevation of thermal thresholds on day 2 (12 hours) and day 3 (4 hours), indicating intermittent antinociception.
• No significant effect of CBD was observed on mechanical nociceptive thresholds.
• CBD treatment did not alter heart rate, respiratory rate, or rectal temperature in the horses studied.

Conclusions:

• Oral administration of cannabidiol (CBD) demonstrates potential as an intermittent analgesic in horses, specifically by modulating thermal pain perception.
• The findings suggest that CBD is safe and well-tolerated at the tested dosage in horses.
• Further research is warranted to explore CBD's long-term efficacy and optimal dosing for various pain conditions in horses.